Childhood Cancer STAR Act Approved by Senate and House
On May 22, the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Treatment Access and Research (STAR) Act was passed by the Senate and House and is now being sent to President Donald Trump to be signed into law. As the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill ever introduced to Congress, the Childhood Cancer STAR Act...
Treating Pediatric Glioma With Bevacizumab and Standard Treatment
Children with nonbrainstem high-grade glioma could benefit from potentially life-extending treatment if genetic testing was used to personalize therapy as it is in many adults, new research published by Mackay et al in Cancer Cell reported. Scientists analyzed the DNA of children taking an...
Early Research May Unlock How Pancreatic Cancer Metastasizes to the Liver
Douglas Fearon, MD, Professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and colleagues may have discovered how pancreatic cancer metastasizes to the liver following surgery, as reported by Pommier et al in Science. “This discovery is significant because for patients who undergo pancreatic cancer...
Oxybutynin for Androgen Deprivation–Associated Hot Flashes in Prostate Cancer
In a letter to the editor of The New England Journal of Medicine, Smith et al describe successful use of oxybutynin to treat hot flashes in a patient receiving androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer. As noted by the authors, nonhormonal treatments for menopausal hot flashes in women ...
Effect of GnRHa Treatment During Chemotherapy on Preservation of Ovarian Function and Fertility in Premenopausal Patients With Early Breast Cancer
A meta-analysis of patient-level data reported by Lambertini et al in the Journal of Clinical Oncology indicated that temporary ovarian suppression with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) during chemotherapy was effective in preserving ovarian function and fertility in premenopausal...
ASCO and ABIM Announce Collaboration on Maintenance of Certification Pathway
ASCO and the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) have announced that they are working to co-create a pathway to provide doctors with a flexible way to maintain board certification. Beginning in 2020, oncologists will be able to choose from two different assessment pathways. They may take an ...
Rivaroxaban May Reduce Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Cancer
Patients with cancer have an increased risk of developing blood clots, with roughly one in five experiencing venous thromboembolism (VTE)—either deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). Although there are many causes and risk factors for VTE, patients with cancer are...
Outcomes After Discontinuation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
In an interim analysis of a European trial reported in The Lancet Oncology, Saussele et al found that discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with deep molecular response was associated with good molecular relapse-free survival,...
Risk of Interval Invasive Second Breast Cancers
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Lee et al determined risk levels for interval invasive second breast cancers after negative surveillance mammography and identified factors associated with higher risk. Study Details The study involved 65,084 surveillance mammograms...
NGR-hTNF Combined With Investigator Choice of Therapy in Previously Treated Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
In the phase III NGR015 trial reported in The Lancet Oncology, Gregorc et al found no benefit of adding NGR-hTNF to best investigator choice of treatment in patients with previously treated malignant pleural mesothelioma. NGR-hTNF consists of human TNFα conjugated to the tumor-targeting ...
GAME Score for Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Surgical oncologists at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine may have developed an improved scoring system for predicting survival in people with colorectal cancers that have metastasized to the liver. According to the researchers, the system, called the Genetic and Morphological...
Neoadjuvant Therapy, Changes in Body Composition, and Resectability in Pancreatic Cancer
In a retrospective cohort study reported in JAMA Surgery, Sandini et al found that neoadjuvant therapy in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was associated with loss of adipose tissue but not muscle wasting. In addition, the study showed that an increase in skeletal muscle tissue was...
Risk of Breast Cancer After Negative Screening Mammography
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, McCarthy et al identified the risk of interval breast cancer after negative screening mammography, including risk of poor-prognosis breast cancer. Study Details The study involved mammography data from the Population-Based Research Optimizing Screening...
USPSTF Recommendations on PSA-Based Screening for Prostate Cancer
As reported in JAMA, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued updated recommendations on prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer. To inform the recommendations, the USPSTF reviewed evidence on benefits and harms of PSA-based screening and treatment of...
CXCR4 Antagonist Plus Eribulin in HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
Findings in a phase I trial reported in The Lancet Oncology by Pernas et al indicate activity of the combination of the CXCR4 chemokine receptor antagonist balixafortide plus eribulin in previously treated HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. The CXCR4–stromal cell-derived factor-1α...
Long-Term Follow-up of Women With Vaginal and Cervical Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma Associated With DES Exposure
In a letter to the editor of The New England Journal of Medicine, Huo et al described long-term outcomes of women with vaginal and cervical clear cell adenocarcinoma associated with prenatal exposure to the synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES). As noted by the authors, women...
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Announces New Chief Medical Officer
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) has named Wui-Jin Koh, MD, as Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, a newly created position for the nonprofit alliance of top U.S. cancer centers. Dr. Koh will add additional physician representation at NCCN headquarters, which...
FDA Approves First Epoetin Alfa Biosimilar for the Treatment of Anemia
On May 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved epoetin alfa-epbx (Retacrit) as a biosimilar to epoetin alfa (Epogen/Procrit) for the treatment of anemia caused by chronic kidney disease, chemotherapy, or use of zidovudine in patients with HIV infection. Epoetin alfa-epbx is also...
2018 ASCO: Mobile and Sensor Technology May Lead to Reduced Symptom Severity in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
A randomized clinical trial evaluating the use of mobile and sensor technology to remotely monitor symptoms in patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer found that use of this technology reduced severe symptoms related to cancer and its treatment compared with usual care....
2018 ASCO: Shortening Adjuvant Trastuzumab to 6 Months in Patients With HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer Is Effective and Reduces Cardiac Toxicities
Persephone, a large phase III randomized noninferiority study conducted in the United Kingdom comparing 6 months to 12 months of trastuzumab (Herceptin) in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer has found 6 months of trastuzumab to be noninferior to 12 months of the therapy. In addition,...
2018 ASCO: Adding Nelarabine to Standard Chemotherapy Improves Survival in Children and Young Adults With T-Cell Cancers
A large randomized phase III clinical trial by the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) investigating the safety and efficacy of adding nelarabine (Arranon) to COG-augmented Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster chemotherapy (aBFM) to treat newly diagnosed patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic...
2018 ASCO: More Choices for Treating Insomnia in Cancer Survivors: Acupuncture and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
A Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)-supported randomized clinical trial of cancer survivors showed that 8 weeks of either acupuncture or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) decreased the severity of insomnia among cancer survivors, though improvements were greatest...
2018 ASCO: Upfront, Comprehensive Genetic Testing in Advanced Lung Cancer Is Cost-Effective
An economic model comparing different types of genetic testing in metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) found that using next-generation sequencing to test for all known lung cancer–related gene changes at the time of diagnosis was more cost-effective and faster than testing one ...
2018 ASCO: Majority of Heavy Smokers Not Screened for Lung Cancer, Despite USPSTF Recommendations
An analysis of 1,800 lung cancer screening sites nationwide found that only 1.9% of more than 7 million current and former heavy smokers were screened for lung cancer in 2016, despite U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and ASCO screening recommendations. Results from this study—the...
Outcomes for Cutaneous SCC of the Lip With Vermilion vs Cutaneous Location
In a study reported in JAMA Dermatology, Wang et al found that risk of nodal metastasis was higher for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip with vermilion vs cutaneous location. Disease-specific and overall survival were similar for the two locations. Study Details The retrospective ...
Dose-Dense Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
In a phase II trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Iyer et al found that dose-dense neoadjuvant gemcitabine plus cisplatin produced a high response rate and was generally well tolerated in patients with planned radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Study Details In ...
Sarcopenia, Adiposity, and Survival in Women With Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Caan et al found that computed tomography (CT)-derived sarcopenia and adiposity were associated with overall survival in women with nonmetastatic breast cancer. Study Details The study involved data from 3,241 women from Kaiser Permanente of Northern...
FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation to CLR 131 in Rhabdomyosarcoma
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Orphan Products Development recently granted Orphan Drug designation to CLR 131 for the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare pediatric cancer. “Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of tissue sarcoma in children. While...
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Quality of End-of-Life Care Among Patients With Lung Cancer
Significant disparities in the quality of end-of-life lung cancer care were found among racial/ethnic minorities, with higher odds of experiencing potentially preventable medical encounters during end of life as compared with non-Hispanic whites. These findings were published by Karanth et al in...
Researchers Identify Most Accurate Risk-Prediction Models for Lung Cancer Screening in Ever-Smokers
Recent lung cancer screening guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network(®) permit the use of risk models to refer ever-smokers for screening. However, different models select different screening populations and the performance of each model in selecting ever-smokers is...
Genetic Counseling and Testing for Patients With Medulloblastoma
Researchers have identified six genes that predispose carriers to develop medulloblastoma and have used the discovery to craft genetic counseling and screening guidelines. The study was published by Waszak et al in The Lancet Oncology. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,...
Intravesical Instillation of Gemcitabine Postsurgery May Aid in Preventing Bladder Cancer Recurrence
Flushing the bladder with a common chemotherapy drug immediately after surgery significantly reduces the chances of bladder cancer returning, according to a study by Messing et al published in JAMA and led by SWOG. First author Edward M. Messing, MD, is Professor of Urology and...
Profile of ERBB2/ERBB3-Mutant Colorectal Cancer
In a study reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Loree et al found that ERBB2/ERBB3 mutations in colorectal cancer are associated with microsatellite instability and PIK3CA mutation. Study Details The study involved retrospective analysis of 419 patients from The University of ...
Hormone Replacement Therapy and Breast Cancer Risk After Oophorectomy in BRCA1-Mutation Carriers
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Kotsopoulos et al found that use of hormone replacement therapy overall did not increase risk of breast cancer among BRCA1-mutation carriers after prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; however, use of estrogen-progesterone hormone replacement...
National Survey Examines Oncologists' Practices, Beliefs on Medical Marijuana Use
Data from a new survey show that as many as 80% of oncologists have discussed medical marijuana use with their patients. According to the authors, this is the first nationally representative survey to examine oncologists’ practices and beliefs on the subject since the implementation of state...
FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to Debio 1347 for Unresectable or Metastatic Tumors With a Specific FGFR Gene Alteration
Debiopharm International SA (Debiopharm) recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to Debio 1347, an inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptors 1, 2, and 3 (FGFR1–3), for the treatment of patients with unresectable or...
Clearance of Somatic Mutations at Remission and Outcomes in AML
In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Morita et al found that clearance of somatic mutations at complete remission—particularly those in nonpreleukemic genes—was associated with improved outcomes in previously untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)....
Perception of Effects of Continued Smoking Among Patients With Cancer
In a study reported in the Journal of Oncology Practice, Alton et al found that current cigarette smokers were less likely to believe that continued smoking after cancer diagnosis was harmful compared with ex-smokers or never-smokers. Continued smoking after cancer diagnosis has been associated...
Activity of T Cells From Patients With Metastatic Melanoma Resistant to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment
In a study reported in Annals of Oncology, Andersen et al found that tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes isolated from metastatic melanoma lesions in patients with disease progression after checkpoint inhibitor therapy remain functional. Moreover, they concluded these tumor-infiltrating...
Predictive Model for Breast Cancer in Women With Atypical Hyperplasia
As reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Degnim et al have developed a model for predicting breast cancer risk among women with atypical hyperplasia on breast biopsy. Study Details The risk model (AH-BC) was developed using retrospective cohorts of women aged 18 to 85 years with...
Early-Phase Trial of Carboxyamidotriazole Orotate and Temozolomide in Glioblastoma
In a phase Ib trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Omuro et al found evidence of activity of carboxyamidotriazole orotate plus temozolomide in patients with recurrent anaplastic gliomas or glioblastoma and previously untreated glioblastoma. Carboxyamidotriazole orotate is an...
Parenting Concerns Affect Emotional Well-Being in Mothers With Advanced Cancer
Parenting concerns contributed significantly to the psychological distress of mothers with late-stage cancer, according to a study by University of North Carolina (UNC) Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers published by Park et al in the journal Cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of...
FDA Accepts sBLA, Grants Priority Review to Atezolizumab for Initial Treatment of Metastatic Nonsquamous NSCLC
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently accepted a supplemental biologics license application (sBLA) and granted Priority Review for atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin), paclitaxel, and carboplatin for the first-line treatment of metastatic nonsquamous...
FDA Approves Daratumumab in Combination With VMP for Newly Diagnosed Patients With Multiple Myeloma Who Are Transplant-Ineligible
On May 7, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved daratumumab (Darzalex) in combination with bortezomib (Velcade), a proteasome inhibitor; melphalan, an alkylating agent; and prednisone—VMP—for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are...
ASBrS 2018: Early Detection and Intervention Effective for Preventing Breast Cancer–Related Lymphedema
Early, ongoing screening of lymphatic function and immediate patient-administered therapies as needed are highly effective in improving outcomes for women at high risk for breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL). These were the findings of a new study presented at the American Society of ...
ASBrS 2018: Modern Therapies Minimize Recurrence After Breast-Conserving Surgery
Modern, multimodality lumpectomy treatment significantly reduces the incidence of breast cancer recurrence at the original tumor site compared to historical protocols, according to a new study presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) 19th Annual Meeting (Abstract...
ASBrS 2018: Breast Cancer Genetic Testing Guidelines Exclude Almost Half of High-Risk Patients
Current restrictive genetic testing guidelines exclude many patients who harbor high-risk breast cancer mutations, according to two new studies presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) 19th Annual Meeting (Abstracts 402910, 404340). One study found that whether or not patients...
ASBrS 2018: Regular Mammograms May Mean Earlier Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Less Aggressive Treatment
Women with breast cancer who underwent regular mammographic screening were diagnosed with earlier-stage disease and treated with significantly less aggressive therapies than those who delayed or never underwent screening, according to new research presented at the American Society of Breast...
Survivors of Uterine Cancer Have Increased Risk of Heart Disease Years After Treatment Has Ended
A large population-based study by Soisson et al examining the long-term cardiovascular outcomes among survivors of endometrial cancer has found that women were at higher risk for a number of cardiovascular risks, including hypertension; diseases of the arteries, arterioles, and capillaries;...
Results From the Full Population of a Phase II Trial of Venetoclax in CLL With 17p Deletion
In an article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Stilgenbauer et al reported findings from the full population of the phase II trial that supported the 2016 approval of venetoclax (Venclexta) in the treatment of previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with 17p deletion....
